Betty Ann Wagar

Mrs. Betty Ann Barnreuther Wagar, age 89, of Murray, Kentucky, went to be with the Lord on Friday, July 19, 2024.

  Betty was born on April 7, 1935, in Paducah, Kentucky to the late John Hans Barnreuther and Louise Erwin Barnreuther. Her father immigrated to the United States through Ellis Island from Bavaria, Germany in 1929; he became a U.S. citizen in 1937. Betty’s faith in Jesus Christ was the most important thing to her and she dearly loved her church, First Baptist Church of Murray. She was a member of the Phoebian Sunday School class, the MAGIC senior adult group, and a member of the Sharon Wells Mission Group. She volunteered in the church nursery with bed babies and taught second grade Sunday School for several years. She had a passion for books and reading and really enjoyed being a volunteer in the church library. Betty graduated from Paducah Junior College in the 60’s and taught kindergarten at Immanuel Baptist Church, where she and her husband, Jack, were members for many years. They and their daughters moved to Murray in 1965 to continue their education. Betty earned a bachelor’s and a master’s degree and 30 hours above from Murray State University. She retired from Murray City Schools after teaching special education for 24 years at Murray Middle School. She then continued working as a substitute teacher at Murray High School. She was a member of Calloway County Retired Teachers Association. She loved Christian music, especially gospel music. Betty and Jack had many good times camping and were members of The Good Sam Camping Club. They loved their little dachshunds, Ret, Buddy, and Heidi. 

 In addition to her parents, Betty was preceded in death by her husband (and love of her life), Robert “Jack” Wagar, whom she married on February 5, 1951, in Corinth, Mississippi and were blessed with 68 years of marriage. He passed away on January 31, 2019. She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Cindy Wagar Hill, who died on April 25, 1975, as well as her brother-in-law, Ronald Detrick, her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Sarah and Russell Wolfe, and a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Frank and Shirley Wagar, and an infant brother and sister. 

 Survivors include two daughters, Rebecca Wagar Cunningham and husband Randy of Murray, Kentucky, and Jane Wagar Chapman and husband Al of Murray, Kentucky; one son in law, David Hill and wife Debbie of North Port, Florida; six grandchildren, Mickey Hill (Cassandra) of San Jose, California; Ryan Cunningham (Sarah) of Murray, Kentucky; Stephanie Pierce (Robert) of North Port, Florida; Kevin Cunningham (Emily) of Shelbyville, Kentucky; Jason Chapman (Cara) of Noblesville, Indiana; Jonathan Chapman (JoLynne) of Owensboro, Kentucky; also surviving are thirteen great grandchildren, Asher, Eden and Naomi Cunningham of Murray, Kentucky, Maddie and Jack Cunningham of Shelbyville, Kentucky, Waylon, Eli, and Thea Pierce of North Port, Florida, William and Trace Chapman of Noblesville, Indiana, Levi and Luke Chapman of Owensboro, Kentucky, and Benjamin Lee of San Jose, California; one sister, Nancy Barnreuther Detrick of Bowmansville, New York; also four nieces, Susan Campbell and Lisha Holt of Paducah, Kentucky, Jennifer Conklin of Lancaster, New York, and Debbie Hicks of Decatur, Alabama.

 Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday July 23, 2024, at the First Baptist Church in Murray. Rev. Keith Inman will officiate, vocalists to be Mike Rose and Keith Inman, and pianist to be Eleanor Spry. Burial will follow in the Murray City Cemetery. Visitation will be held prior to the funeral service on Tuesday July 23, 2024, at the First Baptist Church from 11:00 a.m. – until the funeral hour. 

 Expressions of sympathy can be made to the Cindy Hill Nursing Scholarship Fund, Office of Development, 200 Heritage Hall, Murray, Kentucky 42071 or to First Baptist Church – World Missions, 203 South 4th Street, Murray, Kentucky 42071. 

 Online condolences can be left www.jhchurchill.com